Post hole block

ABSTRACT

A molded concrete block for stabilizing a fence post by constituting a solid heavy footing at and below the soil level, the block being rectangular in horizontal section with a post hole down the middle and depressed upper surfaces on each side of the post hole, so disposed that soil can be packed firmly around the block and over the depressed surfaces, covering the entire block except for a collar around the post; stake holes may also be provided adjacent each end of the block to receive stakes driven into the soil for greater stability.

United States Patent Caputo et a].

1 1 June 24, 1975 1 1 POST HOLE BLOCK [75] Inventors: Arnold P. Caputo, Hamden, Conns,

David W. Anthony, Norwell; William H. Pickett, Framingham, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Plasticrete Corporation, Hamden,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Mar. 11,1974

[21] App]. No: 449,981

[52] US. Cl.. 52/166; 52/296; 52/606 [51] Int. Cl E02d 27/42 [58] Field of Search 52/166, 606, 596, 296, 52/297, 298, 593, 611, 608

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 314,022 3/1885 Heard 52/606 X 599,864 3/1898 Rapp 52/606 X 1,431,530 10/1922 Leicester 52/593 X 2,032,030 2/1936 Talen 1. 52/166 2,911,818 11/1959 Smith 1. 52/606 X 3,193,255 7/1965 Burdett 52/298 X 3,461,631 8/1969 Brugnolan... 52/606 X 3,478,482 11/1969 Weir 52/606 X Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmDeLio and Montgomery [57} ABSTRACT A molded concrete block for stabilizing a fence post by constituting a solid heavy footing at and below the soil level, the block being rectangular in horizontal section with a post hole down the middle and dc pressed upper surfaces on each side of the post hole, so disposed that soil can be packed firmly around the block and over the depressed surfaces, covering the entire block except for a collar around the post; stake holes may also be provided adjacent each end of the block to receive stakes driven into the soil for greater stability.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures POST HOLE BLOCK This invention relates to a post hole block, generaliy of molded (cast) concrete, for stabilizing a fence post or the like by constituting a solid heavy footing at and below the soil level. The blocks are shown as being generally rectangular in horizontal section with a suitably dimensioned post hole in the middle, sloping upper Stlt' faces on opposite sides of the post hole and preferably with upward and inwardly slanted side surfaces, except adjacent the post hole. Smaller stake holes may be provided, extending downward from the top surfaces. on opposite sides of the post hole, to receive wood or, preferably, plastic or metal stakes for added stabiiity.

In the installation of fence posts and the like it is non mally considered advisable to dig a hole about 3 feet deep, and experience shows that the digging of the last 8 inches costs many times the labor of the first 8 inches, due to the greater compaction of the soil and the obvious difficulty of digging, by shovel or anger, within a deep narrow cavity. Such depths have been deemed necessary because the first foot of top soil is considered almost useless as a support for lateral thrust of posts due to the relative lack of compaction, and the post mounting leg, the hole} must enable the post to resist not only horizontal forces causing lateral movement. but also downward thrust due to the weight of the pos fence members and any other weights placed upon the post. and, principally, rotational overturn.

The matter of downward thrust is seldom a serious problem with fence posts unless the soil conditions arc very poor and/or unusual loads are applied. A hloci of the character disclosed herein offers a substantial area to support vertical loading and also has uniquely high resistance to horizontal movement. even in poor soil, because of the large flat side surfaces in contac with the soil. The block also resists rotational overturn forces, maximally in directions perpendicular to the line of the fence (parallel to the long dimension of the block) and minimally in the line of the fence where such forces are less likely to occur and where other posts in the line can share in the resistance. The over turning forces, from any direction, are also resisted by (I soil friction along the side and end surfaces of the block, (2) by the weight of the block and (3) by the weight of any earth which might be lifted by its sloping faces. In each situation. sliding or rotational, the stabii ity of the block may be further ensured by the provision of steel or other stakes (24 inches tong, for example) driven into the ground through the auxiliary stake holes and grouted therein, if desired. Grouting of stakes in the block produces a rigid SlilkfiblUClK unit which en sures simultaneous resistance with other antimovement features, or grouting may be used to secure headless rods.

Previously known types offence post bases are disclosed in the patents to Harrison. No. 420,537; Sparks, No. 605,355; and Sague, No. l,7l l,l78. Anchors are shown in Hutton patent. No. 1.433113.

Practical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I represents a perspective view of a preferred form of block;

FIG. 2 represents a side elevation ofthe block of FIG.

FIG. 3 represents an end elevation of the block of FIGS. 1 and 2;

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FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of an alternative form of block:

FIG. 5 represents a longitudinal medial vertical section of the block of FIG. 4, with the associated post. stakes and soil being indicated in broken lines. and

FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of a section of fencing with two posts mounted in blocks of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. I, 2 and 3, the post hole block 10 is shown as being generally rectangular in horizontal cross-section, approximately as high as it is wide, provided with a post hole II passing through its middle. The center portion 12 is in the form of a cube having vertical side faces 13, a flat top 14 and a flat bottom 15. Each end portion 16 is pyramidal in that its side faces 17 and end face 18 slope slightly inward from the flat base 19 toward the flat top 20, somewhat lower than the top 14 0f the center por tion. The edges of faces 17 which adjoin the center portion 12 intersect the elongated triangular end faces 21 of the center portion at the lines 22. The flat top of each end portion is connected to the top 14 by a slanting ramp 23.

Typical dimensions of the block maybe 24 X 8 X 8| inches, with the post hole II having a diameter of 6 /2 inches. to receive a 6 inch post, the center portion being about 8 K 8 X 8. inches and each end portion being the same except for the reduction in height, as indicated. The faces !7 and I8 slope inward at about 5 from the vertical and each ramp 23 lies at an angle of 45 from the horizontal.

In addition to the post hole 11, the block is traversed by stake holes 25, shown as extending vertically downward from points in the top surfaces 20, so located that their center lines are closer to the end faces 18 than they are to the ramps 23,

In the alternative form of block, shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and t), the post hole block is shown as being rectangular in horizontal r:r'ossset:tioii, approximately as high as it is wide, provided with a post hole 31 passing vertically through its middle. and having its upper surfaces 32., on opposite sides of the post hole. sloping downwardly from lines 33 which are spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the width of the block. Typical dimensions may be as before. In a block of that size, the lines 33 may be spaced apart by about 8 inches. leaving than one inch between the post hole and each edge of the top 34 of the block. The surfaces 32 slope at angles between 30 and 60 from the horizontal, but preferably no more than 45.

The stake holes 25, may be on the order of about one inch in diameter. The holes 25, 35 are shown as lying parallel to the post hole, but they could be angled with respect thereto, if desired, to emerge through the bottom of the block or through the side walls near the bottom. The holes I I, 31 normally pass entirely through the block, but could be made to terminate within the block for some special purpose, as the support of a very short post.

In each of the blocks shown and described above the top of the center portion of the block (14, 34) constitutes a collar surrounding the post hole, the collars being intended to lie at grade level so that grass cannot grow adjacent to the post, thus eliminating the need for hand trimming in that area. The square corners of the collars could be rounded off and the surface may desirably be sloped slightly to shed water away from the post.

Stability of the block is enhanced if it is made of a material ensuring a rough textured surface. A block made with trowelling or casting concrete of relatively high slump in a smooth-walled mold would have a smooth surface and little tendency to engage the adjacent soil, whereas a very satisfactory rough texture can be obtained from a stiff bloclttype concrete mixture. Such a block bonds well with the compacted surrounding soil, which assists in resisting the sliding and vertical rotational forces on the block.

Referring to H6. 6. forces of rotational overturn may act around the axes X-X, X'-X, or the axes YY, YY' or a combination of them. The weight, shape and disposition of the block strongly counter forces around axes XX, X'X', assisted by the weight of adjacent compacted soil, engaged by the rought surfaces of the block. Against forces around the axes YY. Y 'Y'. the weight and soil factors are of importance. In each case the stakes, made rigid with the block. are a major factor since they extend into otherwise undisturbed soil (naturally compacted) and provide a lever-arm of about 2 feet from the axes XX, X'X', and Y-Y, Y'Y', to the ends of the stakesv Since concrete, in the shapes here discussed. has a critical shear angle of about 45, the end portions should not be cut away below the 45 line.

In use, a post hole of suitable size is dug in the ground, normally to a depth slightly greater than the height of the block, the upper portion of the hole is enlarged to receive the block with its upper surface at or just below the level of the soil, the block is put in place. a post P is inserted in the hole 11, or 31, passing through the block and usually somewhat beyond, if conditions permit. Wood or preferably metal (steel) or plastic stakes 36 are than placed in the holes or 35 and are driven home, very firmly stabilizing the block; the stakes may be grouted in the holes if there is sufficient clearance.

Installation is completed by tamping the surrounding soil around the block and over at least the sloping surface portions 12 or 20. It has been found that slope angles between 30 and 60 (preferably no more than 45) are somewhat critical in permitting the sloping surfaces to be covered by quantities of soil which can be packed integrally with the adjacent soil and will add materially to the stability of the block and post.

Blocks of the type shown herein may be made in various sizes, either over-all or with varying hole sizes, and may be used for mail box posts, lantern posts, bird house or feeder supports, and other comparable uses. in addition to the mounting of fence posts. A post designed to be mounted in these blocks can be made at least 2 feet shorter than one intended to be placed in an ordinary post hole. The side walls 37 and end walls 38 of the block in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are shown as being substantially vertical but some deviation from verticality for all or parts of the block may be found both convenient in manufacture and practical, to increase resistance to overturn by causing additional soil to be lifted beyond the amount included in the vertical rise of the block. and they are in any event, preferably made quite rough to ensure good engagement with the soil.

Blocks retaining some of the advantages of those shown at 10 and 30 could be made to meet an abutting property owners objection to encroachment, by eliminating one of the end portions (eg, 16). with or without adding a substantially equivalent amount of mate rial to extend the remaining end portion. Such onesided blocks may also be useful in situations where. for any reason, the concern is with forces from one side only.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and. since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described. and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language. might be said to fall therebetween.

What we claim is:

l. A post hole block comprising a body of heavy material, substantially rectangular in horizontal crosssection and horizontally elongated, said body being provided midway between its longer sides with a vertical hole to receive a post, and the upper surface of the body spaced from said hole being lower than the upper surface adjacent said hole, the block having a central section and lower end sections, said hole being in the center of the central section, and at least a portion of the upper surface of each end section sloping upward to the level of said central section, said block being traversed by additional smaller holes each extending from points on the upper surface spaced from said vertical hole downward through the body.

2. A post hole block according to claim 1 wherein said points are closer to the ends of the end sections than to the central section.

3. A post hole block comprising a body of heavy material, substantially rectangular in horizontal crosssection and horizontally elongated to comprise a central section and lower end sections; said body being provided with a vertical hole in the central section to receive a post, each end section being traversed by an additional smaller hole extending downward through the body from a point on the upper surface of the end section closer to the end of the end section than to the central section, and an elongated spike in each said ad ditional hole, extending a substantial distance below the bottom of the block and made rigid with the block.

4. A post hole block comprising a body of heavy material. substantially rectangular in horizontal crosssection and having substantially vertical side and end surfaces, said body being traversed centrally by a vertical hole to receive a post, the upper surfaces of the body sloping downward and outward from lines near the hole. and the body being traversed by additional smaller holes each extending from one of the sloping surfaces downward through the body.

l l i l 

1. A post hole block comprising a body of heavy material, substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and horizontally elongated, said body being provided midway between its longer sides with a vertical hole to receive a post, and the upper surface of the body spaced from said hole being lower than the upper surface adjacent said hole, the block having a central section and lower end sections, said hole being in the center of the central section, and at least a portion of the upper surface of each end section sloping upward to the level of said central section, said block being traversed by additional smaller holes each extending from points on the upper surface spaced from said vertical hole downward through the body.
 2. A post hole block according to claim 1 wherein said points are closer to the ends of the end sections than to the central section.
 3. A post hole block comprising a body of heavy material, substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and horizontally elongated to comprise a central section and lower end sections, said body being provided with a vertical hole in the central section to receive a post, each end section being traversed by an additional smaller hole extending downward through the body from a point on the upper surface of the end section closer to the end of the end section than to the central section, and an elongated spike in each said additional hole, extending a substantial distance below the bottom of the block and made rigid with the block.
 4. A post hole block comprising a body of heavy material, substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and having substantially vertical side and end surfaces, said body being traversed centrally by a vertical hole to receive a post, the upper surfaces of the body sloping downward and outward from lines near the hole, and the body being traversed by additional smaller holes each extending from one of the sloping surfaces downward through the body. 